The Taliban’s Takeover:
Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former Saudi intelligence chief, was not surprised by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan due to the legitimacy loss of the Afghan government after the US-Taliban deal under Trump’s administration. He criticized the manner of withdrawal, describing it as a combination of incompetence, carelessness, and bad management.

Deja Vu and Domino Effect:
Prince Turki al-Faisal saw similarities between the fall of Saigon and the fall of Kabul, but he expressed uncertainty about whether it would lead to a domino effect like in Southeast Asia.

Saudi Arabia’s History with the Taliban:
Saudi Arabia has a negative history with the Taliban, dating back to the 1990s when they refused to hand over Osama bin Laden. Saudi Arabia attempted to mediate between the Taliban and the Afghan government during President Karzai’s term, but the Taliban broke off negotiations.

US Negotiation with the Taliban:
Prince Turki al-Faisal criticized the US for negotiating with the Taliban behind the Afghan government’s back, leading to the government’s loss of legitimacy.

Concern over Abandoned Weapons and Al-Qaeda:
Prince Turki al-Faisal expressed worry about the billions of dollars worth of U.S.-made weapons left behind by the Afghan army, which could fall into the hands of the Taliban and potentially be used by Al-Qaeda.

Regional Involvement in Afghanistan:
He emphasized the need for regional countries, particularly Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and China, to take the lead in cleaning up the aftermath in Afghanistan. He noted that these countries are still represented in Kabul and have expressed interest in future relations with the Taliban.

Iran’s Influence and Pakistan’s Support:
Prince Turki al-Faisal mentioned Iran’s willingness to send Afghan militias from Syria to help the Afghan government against the Taliban. He acknowledged Pakistan’s support for the Taliban and their attempts to engage with the Iranian government.

Taliban’s Alliances and China’s Rise:
Prince Turki al-Faisal expressed concern about the Taliban’s alliance with Al-Qaeda and the rise of China in the region.

Saudi Arabia’s Concern for the Afghan People:
Prince Turki al-Faisal highlights the suffering of the Afghan people, emphasizing the need for global attention and a concerted effort to address the ongoing crisis.

40 Years of Continuous Warfare and Its Devastating Impact:
Afghanistan has endured four decades of continuous warfare, resulting in numerous casualties, destruction of lives, and the erosion of opportunities and peace.

Afghan Refugees in Pakistan and Iran:
The Soviet invasion led to the displacement of Afghan refugees, with many seeking shelter in Pakistan and Iran. The prolonged presence of Afghan refugees in these countries is a testament to the enduring impact of the conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s Support for the Mujahideen:
Prince Turki al-Faisal expresses no regrets about Saudi Arabia’s role in supporting the Mujahideen in their fight against the Soviet invasion. The kingdom’s support, along with that of the United States and Pakistan, contributed to the eventual withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan.

The Break in Support for the Mujahideen:
After the Soviet withdrawal, the Mujahideen failed to form a unified government and instead engaged in internal conflict. This led Saudi Arabia to cease its support for the Mujahideen, recognizing the futility of further involvement.

Saudi Arabia’s Stance on the Taliban:
In the 1990s, when the Taliban came to power, Saudi Arabia withheld financial support due to the ongoing fighting. The kingdom’s decision reflected its commitment to promoting stability and discouraging further conflict within Afghanistan.

US-Saudi Arabia Relations:
Prince Turki al-Faisal believes the US and Saudi Arabia have a long-standing alliance and that the relationship between the two countries should be conducted privately and not in the public sphere. He feels that the US has prejudged Saudi Arabia on issues of human rights without giving itself a chance to see the progress that has been made in the country. Prince Turki al-Faisal believes that Saudi Arabia’s evolution in recent years, including progress on human rights, has been significant and should be recognized. He acknowledges that the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was a horrendous crime and that Saudi Arabia is working to ensure that such an incident never happens again. However, he believes that the stigma of the Khashoggi murder will remain with Saudi Arabia for a long time and that it will take time for the country’s legacy to be rehabilitated.

Afghanistan:
Prince Turki al-Faisal believes that it is too early to judge whether the US withdrawal from Afghanistan is a watershed moment. He thinks that America still has much within it to contradict the prediction that its supremacy is disappearing and that it is too early to rule out America as a setting sun. He emphasizes that America is still a vital society with significant strengths in inventiveness, culture, military abilities, science, and medicine.

9/11:
Prince Turki al-Faisal believes that Saudi Arabia has never hidden anything about its involvement in 9/11 and that there is absolutely nothing in US archives that implicates Saudi Arabia in the attacks. He appreciates the loss suffered by the relatives of the victims of 9/11 but believes that Saudi Arabia should not be held responsible for the actions of a few individuals. He believes that the US and Saudi Arabia should work together to expose the reality of what happened on 9/11 and that all documents related to the attacks should be released.

Best U.S. Presidents for the Middle East:
Prince Turki al-Faisal, a Saudi Arabian diplomat, believes that President Nixon and President George H.W. Bush had the best grasp of the situation in the Middle East. Nixon was the first president to officially support a U.S. role in finding a solution to the Palestinian problem and dedicated Henry Kissinger to the task. Bush led America’s response to Saddam Hussein’s aggression against Kuwait, bringing half a million American troops to Saudi Arabia to defend the country. Bush also convened the Madrid Conference, which brought Israelis and Arabs to the same table for the first time to discuss peace.

President Clinton’s Efforts:
Prince Turki considers President Clinton a personal friend and acknowledges his role in trying to bridge the gap between Arabs and Israelis. Clinton’s efforts included the Camp David summit and the subsequent agreement between Israelis and Palestinians in the Sinai.

U.S. Foreign Policy Consistency:
Prince Turki observes that U.S. foreign policy has been inconsistent, with fits and starts since FDR’s time. He cites FDR’s broken promises to King Abdelaziz and President Truman’s change of heart on the Palestinian-Israeli issue as examples of this inconsistency. He acknowledges that this inconsistency is part of American makeup and that Saudi Arabia has learned to deal with it.

Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to America:
Saudi Arabia views America as its best friend and has maintained this stance despite differences in foreign policy. The Crown Prince recently stated that Saudi Arabia agrees with America on 90% of issues and is willing to discuss the remaining 10%. Prince Turki believes it is too early to say if American influence in the Middle East is waning but acknowledges that there is a change.

Saudi Arabia’s Evolving Foreign Policy:
Saudi Arabia has taken a more active role in its foreign policy since the Obama administration’s pivot to East Asia. The kingdom has engaged with America in various issues, such as the conflict in Yemen, reaching understandings on the level of support it will receive. Saudi Arabia has proposed a peaceful solution to the Yemen conflict, which the United States has supported.

Saudi Arabia’s Future Foreign Policy:
Prince Turki believes that Saudi Arabia will play an even greater role in the region post-Afghanistan. The kingdom will continue to engage with America on issues of mutual interest while asserting its own prerogatives.

Leadership in the Islamic World:
Saudi Arabia’s role extends beyond its economic capabilities and leadership in the GCC. It has a unique responsibility as the protector of the two holy mosques of Muslims, Mecca and Medina. This position entails promoting the welfare of Muslims and humanity as a whole. Saudi Arabia’s distinct role arises from its custodianship of the birthplace of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad’s birthplace. The annual pilgrimage to these holy places brings Muslims together and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s responsibility to foster unity.

The Changing Energy Landscape:
Saudi Arabia is a partner in finding the best uses for energy resources. The kingdom is blessed with abundant and affordable fossil fuels, as well as exceptional receptivity to solar energy. Despite the global transition to alternative energy sources, fossil fuels will remain significant in the foreseeable future. Saudi Arabia is investing in new and clean energy sources, such as hydrogen, to remain at the forefront of energy production. Other oil-producing countries, including the UAE and Qatar, are also pursuing similar strategies to diversify their energy portfolios.

OPEC’s History and Influence:
OPEC’s influence has fluctuated over decades. OPEC and OAPEC (Arab OPEC) were formed to address low oil prices and gain control over production. Oil companies later became partners in setting prices and production, giving producers a say in the industry.

Biden’s Policy and its Impact:
President Biden’s policy aims to reduce harmful carbon-based energy sources, causing confusion among oil producers. The policy asks producers to expand production while simultaneously discouraging the use of fossil fuels, leading to price hikes.

The Need for Fossil Fuels and Balancing Energy Transitions:
Abruptly rejecting fossil fuels ignores the current need for them. Restricting oil consumption without alternatives will result in higher energy costs for consumers.

Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to Oil Production and Energy Research:
Saudi Arabia remains committed to oil production, aiming to meet global demand. The country also invests in research for improving oil consumption and developing new energy sources like hydrogen, solar, and wind.

Saudi Arabia’s Long-Term Oil Production Outlook:
Whether Saudi Arabia will continue oil production until the last drop remains uncertain. However, the country still has significant untapped shale oil reserves.

Afghanistan and the US Engagement:
Prince Turki al-Faisal believes the US made a crucial mistake in diverting resources from chasing Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan to attack Iraq after 9/11. The Bush administration’s shift in focus hindered the pursuit of Bin Laden and al-Qaeda, the primary targets of the US intervention in Afghanistan.

Taliban’s Willingness to Negotiate:
Before 9/11, the Taliban had sent a delegation to the US to discuss energy pipelines and potentially extradite Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden’s actions against Saudi Arabia and the US were not fully supported by the Taliban, indicating a potential for negotiation. The September 11th attacks abruptly ended these discussions.

US Withdrawal from Afghanistan:
Prince Turki al-Faisal argues that the US should have declared victory and withdrawn troops after Osama bin Laden’s death. The continued US presence in Afghanistan contributed to the current situation and the Taliban’s resurgence.

US Commitment to Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia expects reassurance of the US commitment to its defense against attacks from Iran and the Houthis. The withdrawal of Patriot missiles from Saudi Arabia was seen as a sign of diminished US support. Regional allies need assurances of continued US support, especially after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Failed States in the Region:
Prince Turki al-Faisal highlights the challenges of failed states like Lebanon, Syria, Libya, and Yemen. He emphasizes the need to address regional instability and Iran’s extraterritorial ambitions.

Responsibility for Lebanon’s Crisis:
The international community, not just individual countries, has a responsibility to address the situation in Lebanon. Iran’s intervention in Lebanon is the root cause of the country’s economic and political crises. The world community should have acted to prevent Hezbollah from maintaining its weapons after the Ta’if agreement.

Lebanon:
Hezbollah’s growth and influence in Lebanon have led to severe consequences for the Lebanese people, including starvation and lack of medical care. The Lebanese politicians failed to recognize Hezbollah’s manipulation and are now paying the price.

Iran’s Malign Influence:
Iran is the region’s most malign actor, supplying the Houthis in Yemen with missiles and drones in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216. Iran supported Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime in Syria and sent Hezbollah and Shia militias to his aid. Russia’s support for Assad, despite his terrorist actions, is incomprehensible. Arab governments are now engaging with Assad, which is a mistake given his ongoing atrocities against his own people.

American Influence:
America’s waning influence in the Middle East is a concern, and the US should provide reassurances about its commitments to the region.

JCPOA and Iran’s Regional Behavior:
The JCPOA, as it is being handled currently, is not effectively addressing Iran’s influence in the region. Iran is unlikely to negotiate on regional and missile issues after securing the nuclear deal. America needs to reconsider its approach to the JCPOA and Iran’s malign behavior.

Development and the Changing World:
The rapid pace of development and change in the world is a concern, as the world is constantly evolving.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030:
Saudi Arabia’s growing population requires a focus on creating job opportunities and ensuring a bright future for its youth. The Vision 2030 initiative aims to address this challenge by providing employment opportunities and economic growth.

Regional Stability and Development:
Development and progress in neighboring countries, such as Egypt, East Africa, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, are essential for regional stability. Internal strife and external intervention can threaten development, highlighting the need for protection and enhancement of progress.

Prince Turki al-Faisal’s Book:
Prince Turki al-Faisal’s upcoming book, “The Afghanistan File,” will shed light on Saudi Arabia’s role in Afghanistan from the Soviet invasion to the present day. It aims to provide an accurate account of Saudi Arabia’s involvement and engagement with Afghanistan.

Missed Opportunity for Peace in Afghanistan:
In 1995, Saudi Arabia proposed a peace plan to bring together warring Mujahideen groups in Afghanistan. Prince Turki al-Faisal led efforts to promote this proposal to various countries, including the US, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan. Short attention spans and competing priorities among these countries led to a lack of support for the peace plan.

Preventing Arms Smuggling into Afghanistan:
Prince Turki al-Faisal emphasizes the need for a blockade on arms smuggling into Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban from using sophisticated weaponry. He suggests that neighboring countries should cooperate to cut off arms supplies to the Taliban.

Pressing for Bin Laden’s Capture:
Prince Turki al-Faisal expresses regret for not pressing other countries more strongly to support the capture of Osama bin Laden from Mullah Omar. He believes that international collaboration could have been more effective in apprehending bin Laden.